French Kickers Do Not Titillate

I settled down on the couch yesterday in anticipation of an enjoyable afternoon’s rugby on the TV. The remaining two European Champions Cup quarter-finals were all French affairs and promised some French flair – or so I thought. I have to say I was bitterly disappointed and found my fingers fiddling with the remote control and channel hopping far too often. Both games turned out to be penalty fests with not a try to be seen or likely to be seen. Not great fare for the neutral observer even though both games were fiercely and evenly fought with the result in doubt to the end

The first featured Bordeaux-Begles and Racing 92 with the odd penalty in fifteen giving Bordeaux-Begles a last gap 24-21 victory. Neither side managed to get the blood coursing through the veins with their attacking prowess but there was plenty of grunt from the two large packs of forwards.

The second tie surely had to be better with French aristocracy on the field with Clermont Auverne taking on Toulouse. Admittedly it was wet, but there was yet more blood and guts with the teams going at it hammer and tongs but not really looking to be able to crack the stern defences. This time there were only eleven penalties with Toulouse taking the spoils 12-21.

This was not a great advertisement for rugby but I don’t suppose either Bordeaux-Begles or Toulouse give a hoot. They take their place in the semi-finals where they will face off against each other. It has to be more entertaining, doesn’t it?

The other quarter-finals were much better to watch. Leinster recorded an excellent win at reigning champions Exeter where the teams scored three tries apiece with some outstanding wing play on view. Leinster had the upper hand once they had recovered from the early concession of two Exeter tries and the boot of substitute fly half Byrne with five penalties made sure that they kept Exeter at arm’s length for a 22-34 victory.

Sale, who had looked so good against the Scarlets, were brought down to earth with a bump at La Rochelle who totally outplayed them with a thumping six try 45-21 victory. What would La Rochelle have done to the Scarlets I wonder?

So, the second semi-final will be La Rochelle at home to Leinster which should be interesting. At least the Pro 14 has some representation in a tournament dominated by the French and Leinster do look to have the wherewithal to become champions again. What is not a great year for the English continues.

The semi-finals for the Challenge Cup are: Bath v Montpellier and Leicester Tigers v Ulster with the teams that put paid to Welsh hopes the previous weekend all losing out in the quarter-finals. Home advantage may well be the telling factor in these two semi-finals but Ulster who looked impressive in their victory at Northampton may have something to say about that.

It is a pretty bleak picture if you are Welsh with the Regions once again way off the pace in the Champions Cup and this time not even featuring in the latter stages on the Challenge Cup. The hordes of foreign imports that populate the most successful team squads has an awful lot to do with it, I am sure. Leinster seem to manage pretty well with a select few imports though and there are signs that the French are bringing through some impressive young home-grown players. The lack of Welsh success always raises the question of finance which I do not intend to go into here.

At least Wales continues to be competitive on the international stage. We’d better enjoy it while we can!